Divers and Scientists Amazed by Greek Sea Horse Populations

For experts, being able to witness the existence of a stable and sustainable species of seahorses in areas damaged by overexposure to fish is strange. Experts were confused because of it.

Local divers are fascinated by the graceful sea creatures and will strive to document their existence and call for protection for the sea horse.

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In 2007, commercial divers Vasilis Mentogiannis was working on an underwater project on a remote bay on the Chalkidiki Peninsula in Northeast Greece when he saw seahorses.

"I said to myself, 'Wow, (there are) seahorses, extraordinary'. Not long after that, then the others, and I saw a lot, and I wonder what's up here? I think this is amazing," said Vasilis.

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The experienced diver said, it was very rare to see a group of sea horses gathering together like that. Driven by curiosity, he decided to form a team of divers to survey and collect data about the seahorse.

"This is a unique phenomenon. Those who dive with us are very enthusiastic after seeing a sea horse, because there is no other feeling like that when you dive," said Kostas.

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"We have spent hours with seahorses. Seahorses are shy creatures, always turning their backs on the camera," Vasilis said in a statement by Kostas.

On the advice of scientists, Mentogiannis who have a mechanical engineering background and experts in geophysical and underwater surveys created artificial habitats for seahorses in 2015.

Reference :

1. National Graphic
2. Yoseph Edwin
3. Compas